One couple are so worried about having ‘the talk’ with their children about sex that they are prepared to pay £2,500 for someone to do it for them.

Explaining about safe sex, periods, STIs and masturbation can be confusing and awkward for all concerned.

So much so that the one couple are offering £2,500 for a professional to come to their home and speak to their eight-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son.

They also want their children to be taught about rape culture, foreplay and "other gender types, such as transgender and non-binary".

In the online advert, the mum writes: "I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask for this kind of help, but here goes. My husband and I are looking to hire someone to give our 8-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son the 'talk'.

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"Like most parents, we were hoping we would have more time before this became a problem; ideally, I’d avoid it altogether! But we’re at the point now where they aren't satisfied with the answer we’re giving them.

"I don’t trust the school to do a proper job teaching either of our children about the complexities of puberty, intimacy and consent which is why we’re looking for someone to handle this for us."

Talking about sex with your children can be an awkward and confusing affair (Image: E+)

The full list of the things they want covered reads:

• how sex is between two people who are in love (preferably married but we’re modern enough to know that’s not always possible) • consent (with a possible discussion of rape culture) • sex with both genders, from foreplay to penetration • masturbation • periods (for our son too – we want him to be comfortable with this natural part of life for women) • STIs – what they are, what they can cause and prevention • sexual protection - the pill, condoms, abstinence etc. • explanation of male and female anatomy • pregnancy • other gender types – transgender, non-binary etc. (this is an area we would really struggle in!).